







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Hello, I'm sorry, but there is no chardonnay left, Cate. | |
| Yeah, it's a very popular restaurant. | |
| I'm really sorry, what kind of sickness is it? | |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | |
| No, but I definitely don't want to live in that house anymore! | |
| That's fine, I'm almost ready. | |
| Also, I think we all need to leave soon. | |
| I guess time doesn't pass for you while I'm away. | |
| She is half Japanese, half Australian. | |
| Okay, the grated one's 20% off today. | |
| Do you want me to put it in the bin? | |
| I didn't know that, I hope it's not a big problem for him. | |
| Why don't we pay 100 more each, and get a house in Mayfair? | |
| Of course, she is an angel, do you want to talk to your mum? | |
| So 2017 minus 1841 equals... | |
| It makes all of our clothes stink! | |
| People take cutlery to their rooms and don't bring it back! | |
| Hello, do you have a Tesco Clubcard sir? | |
| Hey, Cate! Do you need anything? | |
| I know, I thought you might like to have it with her alone. | |